Improvement in drain-tile machines



F. Dl[IKENS 0N,1r.` Drain Tile-Machines.

Patented June 23,1874.

www2/amm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND DICKENSON, JR., OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRAIN-TILE MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,218, dated June 23, 1874; application filed March 27, 1874.

To all whom t may concern Beit known that I, FERDINAND DIcKENsoN, Jr., of Hartford, Connecticut, have invented certain Improvements relating to Drain -Pipe Machines, of which the following is a specication: A

I apply a screw to compress the material in successive layers, connnencing at one end and traversing' to the other. The screw is operated by a vertical shaft ascending from below. The. center or body of the screw is cylindrical and smooth, and, although of but little length,suiiicientlymolds theinterior of the pipe.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a vertical section, and Fig. 2 is a plan view, of the mold complete.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in both the figures. l

A is the fixed frame supporting the machinery. B is a driving shaft, receiving motion through a removable clutch-piece, C, and suitable gears. The upper end of the shaft D carries a removable piece, D, rmly fixed thereon when in use, and form ed with one or more screwwings to act upon the cement. The body or central portion of this piece D6 is smoothly nished, with a diameter exactly equal to, or a very litt-le larger than is desired for, the interior of the pipe to be formed thereby. Its upper end is tapered, as represented, and provided with two radial arms, which serve as handles for unscrewing and lifting it olf, and also as mixers, to agitate the cement above the screwwings. AThe piece DIi is fitted removably but very rmly upon the shaftv D, either by making the radial arms in the form of a pin ex-V tending across through the shaft, as shown, or.by a bayonet-joint, or by screw-threads, or other convenient means, so that it can be applied and removed with little labor. The smooth cylindrical body of the part D6 extends only a little distance, say three or four inches, below the lower faces of the screw wings thereon. A considerable length of the lower portion of the shaft D is provided with a slow screw-thread, which does not affect the gearwheel DI, but takes in the internally-threaded sleeve or nut E. This nut-piece is held firmly, when required, by the sliding bolt F, which fits in a notch in its side. hen the bolt F is withdrawn, the nut is free to turn, and I provide a clutch-piece, H, feathered also upon the shaft D, and adapted to be moved up and engage at.will with the clutch-formed lower end of the nut E, according to the position of the lever G. This lever turns on the fixed center g, and controls both the clutch H and the bolt F. It is actuated by the hand, or by the spring I, the latter tending to throw the clutch out of contact, and to engage the bolt F, and thus hold the nut E stationary. Near the lower end of the shaft D is a collar, D3, which, on the ascent of the shaft D to its highest allowable position, lifts the clutch H into contact with the nut E. This motion, when it occurs, turns the hand-lever G, and withdraws the bolt F. On the descent of the shaft D, the spring I throws the hand-lever Gr back into the position represented, so that the nut E is again locked fast, and the shaft D caused to sink, unless the hand-lever is acted on by the hand to restrain it. The motion of the shaft D up or down is controlled by the clutch C, causing the motion to be received from pulleys C1 C2 at pleasure.

To operate the machine, the shaft D is lowered until the piece D6 nearly touches the moldplate L, the removable case M is applied in the position represented, and a small quantity of the properly compounded cement (which may befat lime with sand and gravel) is shovcled in. Motion is nowvgiven to the shaft D in the direction tending to climb through the plastic `material, and through the nut E 5 but, for a considerable number of revolutions, the handlever G should be forcibly held, so that the bolt F is withdrawn and the clutch H engaged, causing the nut E to revolve with the shaft D, and be, consequently, ineiiective. The shaft D turns, carrying with it the nut E, which, thus conditioned, serves merely as a collar. The screw-wings of the piece D6, during this period, force the material downward, so as to tightly ll the lower portion of the casing M, thus densely lling the space for the hub of the pipe. Next, more material is shoveled in, and, the hand-lever G being liberated, the force of the spring I, aided, if necessary, by the hand,

depi'csses the clutch H, and engages thebolt F, to hold the nut E stationary. rlhus conditioned, the shaft comn'iences to slowly ascend, by the revolutions of its screw-threads in the nut E, and the wings on the piece D6 seize the cement, and pack it forcibly down upon the previously compressedmaterial below. As the shaft D rises, the casing M molds the exterior ofthe pipe, and remains in contact therewith, while the revolving cylindrical body 0f the piece D' molds the interior for a little distance below the screw thereon, and soon after moves upward, and leaves it free. Then the shaft has risen to a sufficient height to mold a complete length of pipe, the contact of the collar D3 moves the lever G, and, by withdrawing the bolt F, libcrates the nut E again, and, by engaging the clutch H, compels the nut E to turn with the shaft, thus revolving the screwlwings a few times without further rising, so as to perfectly mold the upper end of the pipe.

It is preferable to make the case M no longer than necessary for the length of pipe produced, so that the surplus material shall be rejected or thrown overboard by the action of the screw-win gs themselves. I

On stopping the machine, (which may beinstantly done by placing the4 horizont-ally moving clutch C in a middle position between the pulleys C (12,) removing the screw piece D, Vand further shifting the clutch C, so as to cngage with the pulley C2, and setting the machine in motion with the shaft D in its descending movement, the molded pipe, with its inclosing-case M, can be carefully lifted off. When the descending motion is completed, the piece D6 is again connected, another case, M, is applied, and the operation is resumed for the next succeeding' length of pipe.

I can hold the case M rmly by engaging projections or a partial ange yon its lower rim under the hooks m. (Shown in Fig. 2.)

The mold-plates L Ll L2 may be readily eX- chan ged, when. required, by removing the screws l.

I attach importance to the construction of the removable piece D6 in a single substantial piece, carrying the screw-wings, the tapering top, and thc cylindrical body, solidly cast together.

The removal of my piece D6 leaves the shaft bare, and the bare shaft descends freely with= out touching the inner"face of the pipe. I es teem it important to leave the shaft thus bare in its descent, as otherwise the inner particles of the cement are liable to be scraped and torn away on the descent of the shaft.

I do not claim, in this application, anything shown or described in my patent dated June 25, 1872; nor in the patent issued to R. G. Carlyle, dated April 20, 1809; but

1. rlhe winged boss D, attached directly and irmlybut removably to the shaft D, which is smaller in diameter, as herein specied.

2. The automatic stop D3, in combination with a cement-pipe machine, as herein specitied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day ot' March, 187 4, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FERDINAND DICKENSON, JR.

XVitnesses WM. C. Der, ARNoLD 11o RMANN. 

